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<keyword id="23350090" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Healthcare-in-India" source="keywords">Healthcare in India</keyword> is facing a growing crisis as costs continue to rise sharply, increasing by 14% annually, according to the ACKO India <keyword id="19894985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-insurance" source="keywords">Health Insurance</keyword> Index 2024. The report highlights that this double-digit inflation in <keyword id="19909937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthcare" source="keywords">healthcare</keyword> is putting immense pressure on individuals and families across the country. "<keyword id="23350091" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthcare-inflation" source="keywords">Healthcare inflation</keyword> was reported at 14 per cent in India," the report stated, illustrating the persistent increase in healthcare expenses. <h2>Out-of-pocket expenditures</h2>One of the most alarming findings in the report is that 62% of healthcare expenses are paid out of pocket by patients and their families. This has created a significant financial burden, often forcing individuals to turn to loans and borrowings to cover medical costs. The report noted that 23% of hospital charges are financed through borrowings, emphasizing the toll this takes on household financial health. In many cases, these <keyword id="20228812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="out-of-pocket-expenses" source="keywords">out-of-pocket expenses</keyword> are unpredictable and steep, leading to mounting debts for families. As health crises strike unexpectedly, the lack of widespread health insurance coverage is leaving families vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for better healthcare protection. <h2><keyword id="20699023" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kidney-disease" source="keywords">Kidney disease</keyword> capital: Delhi</h2>Kidney disease has emerged as a growing concern in India, with Delhi being identified as the kidney disease capital of the country. The report states that Delhi NCR had the highest share of health insurance claims related to kidney health, followed closely by Kochi. "Delhi is the capital for kidney disease, followed by Kochi. Delhi NCR had the highest share of claims related to kidney health," the report confirmed, indicating a rising trend in kidney-related issues. Beyond the staggering number of claims, the financial impact of treating kidney diseases has also been brought to light. The average age of patients claiming for kidney and renal problems is 47 years, showing that kidney issues are affecting people at a relatively young age. One of the highest bills for kidney-related treatment in the past year amounted to Rs 24,73,894, showing just how costly these health conditions can be. <h2>Rising <keyword id="19898369" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-disease" source="keywords">heart disease</keyword> in major cities</h2>The report also flagged the increasing number of heart disease cases in India's metropolitan cities. Kolkata and Mumbai recorded the highest number of claims related to heart conditions, with hospitalizations for cardiovascular issues like heart attacks rising sharply, particularly among people aged 31 to 50 years. "Kolkata and Mumbai topped the list of metros when it came to disorders of the circulatory system like heart attacks," the report noted, painting a worrying picture of the growing burden of lifestyle diseases in urban India. Poor diets, stress, and lack of exercise are all contributing factors, creating a serious public health challenge for the country. In addition to kidney and heart diseases, the report also highlighted concerns surrounding cancer. The ACKO Index predicts that <keyword id="20418550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer-cases" source="keywords">cancer cases</keyword> are expected to rise by 13% between 2020 and 2025, which, coupled with the already high cost of cancer treatment, adds further strain to the healthcare system. <h2>Expanding health coverage</h2>In response to the growing healthcare challenges, the Indian government has introduced measures aimed at reducing the burden on citizens. On September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, under the <keyword id="19913233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ayushman-Bharat" source="keywords">Ayushman Bharat</keyword> Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This scheme will provide health insurance regardless of income level, offering Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. This move is a step forward in protecting senior citizens from catastrophic healthcare expenses, but the need for broader reforms remains critical as the out-of-pocket burden for millions of younger citizens continues to mount. (with inputs from agencies)

Healthcare in India faces massive strain as costs rise by 14% annually; most expenses paid out-of-pocket

In a major development for the country's steel sector, the <keyword id="6355512" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-cabinet">Union Cabinet</keyword> on Thursday approved a production-linked incentive (<keyword id="53367" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="PLI">PLI</keyword>) scheme for the manufacturing of specialty steel, with an outlay of ₹6,322 crores. An official statement said that the scheme will boost the production of high-grade specialty steel in the country. Further, it will lead to enhanced exports and minimise dependence on imports for high-end steel. The scheme is expected to bring in an investment of approximately ₹40,000 crores and capacity addition of 25 MT. The duration of the scheme will be 5 years, commencing from 2023-24 to 2027-28. With a budgetary outlay of ₹6,322 crores, the PLI scheme would cover coated/plated steel products, high strength/wear-resistant steel, specialty rails, alloy steel products, steel wires, and electrical steel. These steel products are used in a variety of applications which are both strategic and non-strategic and include white goods, automobile body parts and components, pipes for transportation of oil and gas, boilers, ballistic and armour sheets for defence applications, high-speed railway lines, turbine components, electrical steel meant for power transformers, and electric vehicles. India presently operates at the lower end of the value chain in the steel sector. Value-added steel grades are largely imported in India. This is because of the disabilities faced by the steel industry to the tune of $80-100 per ton, on account of higher logistics and infra cost, higher power and capital cost, and taxes and duties. The objective of the PLI scheme for specialty grade steel is to address this disability by incentivizing the production of specialty steel within the country. The scheme proposes to incentivize eligible manufacturers by paying between 4 percent to 12 percent incentive on incremental production. PLI incentive will also help the Indian steel industry mature in terms of technology and move up the value chain. Any company registered in India, engaged in manufacturing of the identified specialty steel grades will be eligible to participate in the scheme. It will, however, have to ensure that the steel used for making specialty steel is "melted and poured" in the country, thereby ensuring end-to-end manufacturing keeping in view of the Prime Minister's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. The PLI scheme for specialty steel is expected to play an important role in strengthening the domestic steel value chain and will incentivize the steel sector to invest in technological capability building to contribute to the global steel value chain by producing value-added steel. Considering the additional production and investment, the scheme has an employment generation potential of about 5.25 lakh of which 68,000 will be direct and the rest will be indirect employment. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/glenmark-life-sciences-to-raise-1060-crore-through-ipo/articleshow/84605692.cms">Glenmark Pharmaceuticals subsidiary Glenmark Life Sciences to raise ₹1,060 crore through IPO</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-new-feature-how-to-use-sensitive-content-control/articleshow/84606015.cms">Instagram now lets you limit sensitive content on the Explore feed, here’s how to enable it</a>

Union Cabinet approves ₹6,322 crore PLI scheme to boost the steel manufacturing industry

<ul><li>Under the <keyword id="10263868" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="atmanirbhar-bharat-rozgar-yojana-scheme">Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana scheme</keyword>, the central government will provide subsidy for new employees in establishments up to 1000 employees.</li><li>The PF amount will be credited upfront in the Aadhaar-seeded EPFO accounts of the eligible new employee, said India’s <keyword id="6355261" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance-minister">Finance Minister</keyword> Nirmala Sitharaman.</li><li>Here’s the eligibility criteria for companies to avail benefits under this scheme</li></ul>Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her press conference today (November 12) announced the <keyword id="10263642" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Atmanirbhar-Bharat-Rozgar-Yojana">Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana</keyword> for the benefit of the members of employees provident fund Organization (EPFO). The announcement came as a part of the third stimulus package aimed at helping the COVID hit Indian economy. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="79187044" title="Diwali stimulus: Highlights from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's press conference" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The finance minister said under this scheme, every establishment that is registered with the EPFO will be incentivised to hire people who were not registered with EPFO earlier as well as those who lost their jobs between March 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Under the scheme, the central government will give a subsidy for new employees for establishments with up to 1000 employees. The PF amount will be credited upfront in the Aadhaar-seeded EPFO accounts of the eligible new employee, Sitharaman said. Who will be benefited by this? <ul><li>Any new employee joining employment in the EPFO registered establishments with monthly wages less than ₹15,000.</li><li>EPFO members drawing monthly wages of less than ₹15,000 who exited employment during COVID pandemic from March 1 to September 30 and had been hired on or after October 1, 2020. </li></ul>Benefits for companies registered with EPFO The central government will give the subsidy for two years in respect of new eligible employees engaged on or after October 1 at the following scale. <ul><li>Establishments employing up to 1,000 employees will get a contribution of 12% of employee wages and 12% as employers contributions, totalling up to 24% of wages. </li><li>And, for establishments employing over 1000 employees, only 12% of wages of the employees will be given. </li></ul>Here’s the eligibility criteria for companies to obtain benefits under this scheme To avail benefits under this scheme, the organisations with fewer than 50 employees will have to hire at least two employees, and those with more than 50 employees will have to hire five or more employees. "A large number of organizations have put off their hiring plans this year because they are wary of taking up fresh monetary commitments. The government's pledge to bear the EPFO contributions of new employees will encourage many organizations to resurrect their recruitment plans,"Vivek Bindra, founder of New Delhi-based Bada Business. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/indian-government-approves-the-pli-scheme-for-10-sectors/articleshow/79172901.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Indian government approves the Production Linked Incentive scheme for 10 sectors worth ₹2 lakh crore</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/spicejet-shrink-its-losses-to-112-59-crore-in-the-second-quarter-ended-september-30/articleshow/79172678.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Spicejet is losing one rupee where it was losing four thanks to cheaper fuel and cut in rentals</a>

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana: FM announces benefits for EPFO-registered firms hiring new employees — centre to bear PF for new employees

By Jimit Devani, Naman Shah and Jash Davda India has made revolutionary development in the renewable energy (RE) sector. In the last 7.5 years the RE installed capacity has increased by 286%, making India the fourth biggest in the world, for installed RE capacity. As of October 2021, India’s RE capacity has reached 149.57 gigawatts (GW), from 94.4 GW in 2020. The <keyword id="6360189" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget" source="Orion">Union Budget</keyword>, 2021 outlined various reforms and initiatives towards boosting the non-conventional energy sector in India. The first one amongst it was the clarion call for ‘<keyword id="9210258" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Atmanirbhar-Bharat" source="Orion">Atmanirbhar Bharat</keyword>’ and ‘Vocal for Local’, by introducing production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme of ₹4,500 crore for solar cells and modules. An overwhelming response from the industry to the PLI scheme led to further enhancement of the scheme to ₹24,000 crore to boost exports. Recently, on January 20, 2022, the Cabinet also approved capital infusion of ₹1,500 crore to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) as proposed in the Union Budget, 2021. However, the journey has just begun and much is yet to be accomplished. The RE sector has a mammoth target of 227 GW capacity generation in 2022, of which about 114 GW is planned for solar, 67 GW for wind and the remaining for hydro and bio, amongst others. Further, at the COP 26 climate summit in Glasgow, enhancing its commitment towards climate change India pledged five – ‘Panchamrits’ – to become a ‘<keyword id="13030731" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-zero-carbon-emitter" source="Orion">net zero’ carbon emitter</keyword> by 2070. To achieve this ambitious target, various reforms are expected in the Union Budget, 2022 to push the industry. A few of them are listed below: 1. Expansion of PLI schemes Presently, the PLI scheme only covers solar cells and modules. However, to boost domestic manufacturing it is also imperative to incentivise other limbs of the RE segment. This can be achieved by extending the benefits of the scheme with additional budgetary allocation to: <ol><li>Manufacturers of electrolysers to generate green hydrogen</li><li>Battery manufacturers for electric vehicles</li><li>Greening of Indian railways</li><li>Wind turbines.</li></ol>2. Tax incentives for green economy adoption Promoting green technology is critical to India’s commitment towards its ‘net zero’ emissions target. Countries across the globe are taking steps for furtherance of the green economy by providing free land, concessional power cost, funding at low interest costs, government incentives, etc in addition to concessional tax rates. To push the RE players and provide a level playing field globally, similar benefits may be provided in the upcoming Budget. With respect to tax related measures, it is expected that a concessional tax rate of 15% should also be extended to companies which invest in green technologies coupled with an additional deduction towards investment or purchase of green technology assets. 3. Promotion of social infrastructure projects like conversion of waste to energy In order to promote social infrastructure projects like waste to energy as well as projects that lead to transformation of waste to energy, it is recommended to include them under priority sector lending. This has been successfully implemented by municipal corporations of Indore and Nagpur. The government may, along with the state government/municipal corporation/gram panchayat develop a policy, setting a target to develop such social infrastructure projects in the respective localities. Companies participating in such projects should also be incentivised with subsidies on tariff rates, free land and other benefits. 4.Tax consolidation policy Typically, RE projects are domiciled in separate special purpose vehicles (SPVs) due to various reasons such as regulatory compulsion, banker’s comfort, and the need to segregate cash flows. Having multiple SPVs for a single line of business results in inefficiencies and increased compliance burden. Further, the losses of one SPV cannot be set-off against the profits of another SPV. All these factors make <keyword id="13030730" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tax-consolidation-schemes" source="Orion">tax consolidation schemes</keyword> a need of the hour and hence, consolidation of group tax may be considered for streamlining tax provisions and making more proceeds available in the hands of the investors. 5. Rationalising GST rates Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on specified RE devices and parts have been increased from 5% to 12%, due to which effective GST rate for EPC contracts has increased from 8.9% to 13.8%. It is thus recommended to restore the GST rate of 5% so as to bring down the cost to companies. There are various other steps, which are required to be taken in order to bring in long-term policy stability and for promoting investments in the RE sector such as regularisation of payment from DISCOMs, land acquisition, and resumption of staggered projects. Thus, the RE sector expects <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/budget-2020/">Budget 2022</a> to step up towards achieving the ambitious dream of making India ‘net zero’ carbon emitter by 2070. Jimit Devani is Partner, Naman Shah is Senior Manager and Jash Davda is Deputy Manager with Deloitte Haskins and Sells LLP. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/future-retails-independent-directors-haved-turned-down-amazons-financial-support-offer/articleshow/89116781.cms">Future Retail's independent directors haved turned down Amazon's financial support offer </a><a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/maruti-suzuki-shares-up-nearly-7-as-the-automaker-has-2-4-lakh-pending-vehicle-orders/articleshow/89116076.cms">Maruti Suzuki up nearly 7% as the automaker expects good demand at a time when industry is feeling the heat</a>

OPINION: Tax consolidation schemes is the need of the hour for India’s renewable energy sector

<keyword id="6358261" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="panaji">Panaji</keyword>, Nov 25 () The <keyword id="826" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword> cabinet on Wednesday approved a scheme under the Chief Minister's Rojgar Yojana (CMRY), which will help engineering graduates and diploma holders win government contracts for small works. Speaking to reporters here, <keyword id="7543721" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chief-Minister-Pramod-Sawant">Chief Minister Pramod Sawant</keyword> said the <keyword id="6361705" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-cabinet">state cabinet</keyword> has approved the CMRY 2020 for Engineers, which will create a separate slot for young diploma and degree holders, where they can bid for small works in the state public works department (PWD). Engineers who have just earned their diploma or degree, and are below the age of 35, are eligible for the scheme, he said. Projects of up to Rs 5 lakh will be allotted to engineers with a diploma, while those holding a degree can bid for works of up to Rs 10 lakh, the chief minister said. The state-run Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will issue loans to engineers who take up such projects, he said. Sawant said the scheme will weed out the monopoly of some contractors who often bid for small works and also provide employment for new engineers. Persons with diploma or degree in civil engineering are directly eligible for the scheme, but the scope is also open for people who have completed the course in other streams, he added. RPS ARU ARU

Goa cabinet approves employment scheme for young engineers

<keyword id="6354814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-narendra-modi" source="Orion">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> on Saturday took to social media to highlight the widespread adoption of digital payments in India, sharing a photo of a roadside tailor who has integrated <keyword id="6357120" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paytm" source="Orion">Paytm</keyword> <keyword id="6361008" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="qr-codes" source="Orion">QR codes</keyword> into his sewing machine. The image was retweeted by PM Modi with the remark, “It is a common sight across India…our people have shown remarkable dexterity in adapting to tech and innovation.” <div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1565985672501927936/d-r-h241_normal.jpg" favoritecount="18971" retweetcount="3054" status="It is a common sight across India…our people have shown remarkable dexterity in adapting to tech and innovation. https://t.co/Bl8EsPEshn" createdat="1674305719000" id="1616781487898251266"></div>The tweet quickly gained traction, receiving a million views and almost 15,000 likes within a day. <div type="twitter" handle="vijayshekhar" handlename="Vijay Shekhar Sharma" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1567558193429217281/e6JbIoQ3_normal.jpg" favoritecount="695" retweetcount="49" status="Absolutely Sir !💯 Pride of our India is acceptance and embracing technology by every citizen in country. Thank yo… https://t.co/ttnGDRDeDo" createdat="1674306941000" id="1616786613979459585"></div>Fintech giant Paytm’s Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma also responded to PM Modi’s tweet, saying, “Absolutely Sir! Pride of our India is acceptance and embracing technology by every citizen in country. Thank you for championing and guiding the change.” Paytm has played a significant role in increasing the popularity and accessibility of digital payments in the country. The company's efforts to expand its reach by partnering with small businesses and vendors, such as the roadside tailor in the image shared by PM Modi, have further contributed to the increased adoption of digital payments in India. The user who posted the picture revealed that it was taken in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. “You have to be in Bharat to understand the scale of this transformation brought about by the policies of PM <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> government", the user captioned the image. One of the key initiatives of the Modi government has been the promotion of <keyword id="1399736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-payment" source="Orion">digital payment</keyword>s through the Digital India programme. The Centre has placed a high priority on extending digital payment services to every segment of the population. In line with this objective, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, recently announced an increase in the allocation for the promotion of RuPay debit cards and low-value UPI payments to ₹2,600 crore for FY23. This is a significant increase from the initial allocation of ₹1,300 crore, which was announced in the Budget for FY22. The move is part of the government's ongoing efforts to promote digital payments across the country and bring about a digital transformation in India. “Under the said scheme, acquiring banks will be provided financial incentive for promoting point-of-sale (PoS) and e-commerce transactions using RuPay debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (person-to-merchant) for the current financial year,” the Ministry of Electronics &amp; IT said. Brokerage firms Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have said that Paytm will be a key beneficiary of this incentive scheme. India's leading digital payments and financial services company, Paytm, has played a crucial role in the advancement of the Indian government's vision of a cashless economy. The company has pioneered the use of QR codes for mobile payments and has made digital transactions accessible to all. Digital payments have played a crucial role in maintaining business continuity during the pandemic, particularly for small merchants, and promoting social distancing. In December 2022, UPI achieved a record of 7.82 billion digital payment transactions with a value of ₹12.82 lakh crore. Last week, PM Modi also initiated the transfer of approved loans of over one lakh beneficiaries under PM SVAnidhi Yojana, a special micro-credit facility for street vendors. He lauded the fact that the scheme’s beneficiaries have done digital transactions with ₹50,000 crore in a short span of time. “This feat and change is a big answer to the pessimists, who used to question the success of digital payments by street vendors,” PM Modi said. Paytm has been helping in deepening financial inclusion by onboarding street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme and helping them to accept digital payments. In 2021- 22, the company onboarded more than 35,000 Street vendors under PM SVANidhi scheme. The PM added that the SVANidhi Yojana is not just a scheme to give loans, but it is a campaign to boost the economic power of our fellow street vendors by empowering them to accept digital payments. Paytm’s work in supporting the government's efforts aligns with its mission to bring half a billion Indians into the mainstream economy through the use of digital payments and financial services. By pioneering the use of QR codes for mobile payments, Paytm has helped to remove barriers for individuals and small businesses, particularly street vendors, to access financial services and conduct digital transactions. Additionally, Paytm's active participation in the PM SVANidhi Yojana by onboarding street vendors and helping them accept digital payments has enabled them to participate fully in the digital economy. Disclaimer: This article is generated and published by the Insider Studios team. You can get in touch with them on <a href="mailto:insiderstudios@businessinsider.in" target="_blank">insiderstudios@businessinsider.in</a>

PM Modi shares image of tailor on the street using Paytm, calls it a common sight across India

New Delhi, May 22 () Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday held a review meeting with CEOs of public sector banks (PSBs) and asked them to implement the mega 'Aatmanirbhar' relief package to revive the COVID-hit economy. The meeting via video conferencing took place in the backdrop of the Rs 21 lakh crore stimulus package announcement and the Reserve Bank coming out with fresh measures, including interest rate cuts. The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its nod for many of the schemes announced as part of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' package to prop up the economy reeling under the COVID-19 crisis. "Finance Minister Smt.@nsitharaman chairing the review meeting, through VC, with the chief executives of PSBs today to review the readiness of banks in implementing 'Aatmanirbhar' relief package," the Finance Ministry said in a tweet. "To operationalise the announcements made by Hon'ble FM @nsitharaman ji under #AatmanirbharBharat, review meeting through VC was held with all PSBs. Everyone aligned on the need for quickly addressing the needs of MSMEs &amp; other customers. Operational details to be released soon," the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, said in a tweet. The finance minister has emphasised on the quick disbursal of additional loans to MSMEs, to simplify process, formats and documentation, Indian Bank managing director Padmaja Chunduru said after the meeting. Since the Union Cabinet has already given approval to various schemes announced under the package, operational guidelines have been issued to banks. The most important among them is the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) worth Rs 3-lakh crore for MSMEs hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. The 100 per cent guarantee scheme at the concessional rate of 9.25 per cent was the second-biggest component of the Rs 20 lakh crore comprehensive package announced by Sitharaman last week. Currently, the rate of interest on loans given by banks to the MSME sector varies from Rs 9.5 per cent to 17 per cent, depending on the risk perception. The MSME sector is considered as the backbone of country's economy as the sector contributes over 28 per cent of the GDP and more than 40 per cent of exports, while creating employment for about 11 crore people, second highest after agriculture. The scheme is expected to benefit 45 lakh MSME units. Other scheme to help the stressed MSME sector also included Rs 20,000 crore subordinate debt for stressed or loan defaulting MSMEs, which could benefit 2 lakh such businesses. A fund of funds for MSME is also being created, which will infuse Rs 50,000 crore equity in MSMEs with growth potential. After the meeting, Central Bank of India managing director and CEO Pallav Mohapatra said the finance minister took stock of the situation and reviewed the progress of various schemes. "All the banks are very-very optimistic about the schemes that have been announced in the recent past by the government to support the economy. State-run banks sanction in the COVID-19 period is more than the corresponding period last year, which was a normal year," he said. "Loans worth over Rs 6.68 lakh crore were sanctioned by PSBs during March 1 - May 19 for 59.79 lakh accounts from MSME, Retail, Agriculture &amp; Corporate sectors. A steady increase in credit availability for each of these vital sectors" the finance ministry had tweeted earlier in the day. "Public Sector Banks sanctioned over Rs 1.07 lakh crore as emergency credit lines &amp; working capital enhancements in the period March 20 to May 19, with Rs 25,527 crore of this amount already being availed by customers," it said. Later, in an interview with DD News, the finance minister said the meeting with the public sector banks was "very good". She commended the work done by the public sector banks for the implementation of the Rs 1.70 lakh crore PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, which was an announcement made within two days after the lockdown was announced. "I must give credit to the public sector banks for having done a splendid job in implementing PM Garib Kalyan Yojana. So now with that same spirit this (Rs 20 lakh crore) package we have come up with, a partial guarantee, full guarantee for all enterprises... which banks will have to do. I was very reassured that the banks spoke in a very positive way," she said. On the credit guarantee scheme, Mohapatra said the government's commitment is for the entire Rs 3 lakh crore. "The commitment on the government under this Rs 3 lakh crore collateral free loans is 100 per cent." During deliberations, Indian Bank's Chunduru said, "Banks decided to focus also on Tier Ii and Tier III towns in all states to ensure needy MSMEs get the succour. CEOs of PSBs welcomed the Rs 3 lakh crore fully guaranteed loan component to MSMEs and assured the FM that all eligible units will get these loans promptly." Central Bank's Mohapatra said, "Risk aversion, to a great extent, has gone. No actions are being taken for any commercial decision going wrong because of other reasons." The meeting also took stock of interest rate transmission to borrowers by banks and progress on moratorium on loan repayments. The RBI has increased the moratorium on loan repayment by another three months till August 2020 to provide relief to borrowers whose income has been hit due to the crisis. DP MKJ

FM meets PSU bank chiefs, prods them to implement 'Aatmanirbhar' relief package

New Delhi, Jun 18 () India should be the world's largest coal exporters considering the size of reserves it has, and unlocking of coal mining for commercial players is a step in that direction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Launching the virtual auction process for 41 coal blocks for commercial mining, expected to garner Rs 33,000 crore of capital investment in the country over next 5-7 years, the Prime Minister said it is a major step in the direction of achieving 'self-reliance'. He also said that the coronavirus pandemic has taught India to be self-reliant. The launch of the auction process not only marks the beginning of unlocking of the country's coal sector from the "lockdown of decades", but aims at making India the largest exporter of coal, PM Modi said. Presently, despite being the world's fourth largest producer, he said India is the second largest importer of the dry-fuel. "The country which in terms of coal reserves is the fourth-largest nation and is the second-largest coal producer, that country is not exporting coal. But is the second largest importer of coal. The big question is when we are the largest producer of the world... If it is true, why can't we be the largest exporter," Modi said. The PM further said, "We are committed to turning the coronavirus crisis into an opportunity." The Prime Minister said that the government has set an aim of gasification of 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore. "We have kept an aim that by the year 2030, which means in this decade, around 100 million tonnes of coal should be gasified... For this, four projects have been identified and in them around Rs 20,000 crore would be invested." Lambasting past policies of keeping the sector closed and pointing out towards controversies and scams that shrouded the sector in the past, he said that now there is full transparency in auctions with a wide set of reforms. Commercial coal block auction will be a win-win for industry users, and new resources will open up with states getting more revenue and employment, he said. The PM said that the government has taken important decision to open up coal, mining sector to competition, capital and technology and termed it a major step in the direction of India achieving 'self-reliance'. The PM said that this auction process will result in major revenues to states and create employment besides development of the far-flung tribal areas. The commencement of auction process of these blocks, part of the series of announcements made under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan', are likely to contribute Rs 20,000 crore revenues annually to the state governments. In line with the Prime Minister's self-reliance call, the aim behind the auction process is to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting energy needs and boost industrial development. The government has taken an important decision to open up coal, mining sector to competition, capital and technology, he said. Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi, who was also be present during the launch event, said Rs 50,000 crore is being invested in the sector to jack up India's coal output to 1 billion tonnes. With a view to achieve self-reliance in the coal sector, the Ministry of Coal in association with FICCI launched the process of auction of 41 coal mines under the provisions of Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. Upon attainment of peak rated capacity of production of 225 million tonnes (MT), the government said, these mines will contribute about 15 per cent of the country's projected total coal production in 2025-26. It will also lead to employment generation for more than 2.8 lakh people -- direct employment to approximately 70,000 people and indirect employment to approximately 2,10,000 people, as per the government. Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekharan also attended the launch event. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while announcing the stimulus package for the coronavirus-hit economy, had said coal mines would be auctioned to the private sector for commercial mining to end reliance on imports and improve local production. The methodology approved by the CCEA provides that bid parameter will be revenue-share, the government had said, adding that bidders would be required to bid for a percentage share of revenue payable to the government. SID NAM ANZ NAM ANS ANS

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